Annnnd We’re Back!
Wait.... What happened to summer? I’m not ready!
Well, it’s
that time again! Welcome back! We certainly hope you were able to take some
time to recharge this summer between side jobs, curriculum revision, and all
the “life catch-up” you do during the summer season. For a lot of us, the
transition back to the school-time routine can be a shock to the system. But
there are things you can do to make it easier. Here
is some solid “tried and true” tips to help you take the plunge back into the
classroom.
Practice Morning
Parents of
young children and natural early risers, you can skip this one. For the
rest of us, summer is the one time we allow ourselves to get the elusive “good
night’s sleep”. And we’ve been there: There’s a part of you that wants to
squeeze out every last drop of “sleep in” you can before the fall. Don’t do it!
At least a week before the first day of school, you should start setting the
alarm a bit earlier. You don’t have to go crazy. Just set it a little earlier
each day, to ease yourself into the habit of alarm, yawn, shower, coffee,
breakfast, dressed, and go. No one wants to be groggy on the first day of
school, and you’ll thank yourself when the big day arrives.
Stay Busy in August
We know you
have a lot of prep to tackle before the beginning of the school year, and
August starts to feel hectic. At the same time, you might be tempted to get it
all done in June and July, so you can relax up until the moment that first bell
rings. Here’s the problem: if you stay in a holiday mindset throughout August, September
is going to feel like a bucket of ice cold water in the face. You don’t need to
end your vacation early, but make sure you stay busy in this last month. Have a
schedule. Visit friends, tackle chores, work on a hobby, schedule some fun, but
keep engaged. The pace of those last few weeks should match the pace of the
coming year, even if it is filled with leisure!
... But Do Pace Yourself
Having said
that, don’t go overboard. Yes, being a teacher is all about being
overplanned. Contingency A, contingency B, contingency C. At the same
time, don’t forget that the school year is based on the needs of your students,
and you have not yet met your students. Once you have your curriculum set, know
that it is going to change. You can’t plan for every variable. At some
point, you just need to get the students in your classroom and see how it’s
going to go. Plan to keep the first few weekends of school free to re-orient
and adjust.
Know Your Rules!
When you are
planning in those last few weeks, do make sure to spend some time organizing
your classroom practices. If you’re a new teacher, talk to your new
co-workers. If you’re a veteran, think about last year. How did your
classroom policies go? Your cell phone policy? Bathroom? Transitions? How
were the general noise levels? Homework returns? Was it manageable
for the students? Was it manageable for you? Have a plan to make sure
your students are extremely clear about what your expectations are from day
one. Doing that work at the outset can really save you some headaches in
the future. Don’t just plan a “rules list.” Think about how you are
going to create buy-in.
Getting to Know You?
While you’re
at it, really think about how you might be able to get to know the students in
your class this year. The “don’t let them see you smile until December”
pedagogy is outdated and bad practice. Modern education is about rapport and
relationships. This is more than icebreakers and a quick
“whip-around.” Think about how you can give your students an early
opportunity to share their story. Think of a clever way you can tell your
own story. How can you get your students to start engaging with each other
at a much deeper level this year?
Celebrate the Summer!
Lastly, no
matter how you spent the summer, be sure to celebrate its closing. Why? You’re
about to embark on another year of teaching. Fantastic things are about to
happen, and you deserve a moment to remember why you do what you do. For
some, that might entail a picnic feast or a Netflix festival. For others,
it might be takeout or catching a live game. No matter how you make merry,
a ritual celebration can help bridge the cognitive dissonance between summer
and fall. It’s going to be hard work, but there’s a real reason why they
call it the hardest job you’ll ever love.
Rock it out this
year! And remember: We're here for you.
Written by Keith Lambert,
Education World Associate Contributing Editor
Lambert is an English /
Language Arts teacher in Connecticut.
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